Related to this topic, what is a good (correct) lubricant for the speedometer cable? I think I can hear mine squeaking a little sometimes behind the instrument cluster.
Stiff ignition lock
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: abilene kansas
Stiff ignition lock
What can I use to lube up the ignition lock on My truck, it's been stiff since I've had it. Could I use something like a dab of trans fluid, or engine oil?
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
You can get some wd 40, put the red nozzle on it, and spray it up in the tumbler where the key goes in. The tumbler where the key goes in is not really the problem, it's down in the column where the gear/rack and the linkage piece slides, but the wd40 will most of the time work it's way down where it will loosen up the 25 year old factory lube.
If you get it loosened up, it still may not cure the ignition switch sticking problem. I would think you guys have already run into this problem, where sometimes your wipers and other stuff suddenly don't work, and you have to take and lightly wiggle the keyswitch back and forth to put it in the correct run position so everything works.
If you get it loosened up, it still may not cure the ignition switch sticking problem. I would think you guys have already run into this problem, where sometimes your wipers and other stuff suddenly don't work, and you have to take and lightly wiggle the keyswitch back and forth to put it in the correct run position so everything works.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 1
From: abilene kansas
You can get some wd 40, put the red nozzle on it, and spray it up in the tumbler where the key goes in. The tumbler where the key goes in is not really the problem, it's down in the column where the gear/rack and the linkage piece slides, but the wd40 will most of the time work it's way down where it will loosen up the 25 year old factory lube.
If you get it loosened up, it still may not cure the ignition switch sticking problem. I would think you guys have already run into this problem, where sometimes your wipers and other stuff suddenly don't work, and you have to take and lightly wiggle the keyswitch back and forth to put it in the correct run position so everything works.
If you get it loosened up, it still may not cure the ignition switch sticking problem. I would think you guys have already run into this problem, where sometimes your wipers and other stuff suddenly don't work, and you have to take and lightly wiggle the keyswitch back and forth to put it in the correct run position so everything works.
Thanks!
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
Yup, I have that problem. And, now that its gotten cold I'll probably really have the problem. Had planned to replace the ignition switch, but it sounds like it really isn't the switch but the linkage 'tween the tumbler and the switch?
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I used the same white lithium grease I used on the key tumbler linkage.
The Ford specs are:
Cable Core:
D2AZ-19581-A lubricant or equivalent
Ferrule O-ring:
D0AZ-19584-A polyethylene grease
The Ford specs are:
Cable Core:
D2AZ-19581-A lubricant or equivalent
Ferrule O-ring:
D0AZ-19584-A polyethylene grease
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: North Carolina
Thanks, so a silicone spray into the cable end after disengaging from the cluster?
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I did this to my DD Tempo, it has a real short cable that I pulled from the sheathing and fully greased with my hands.
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Don't use WD40 on anything that's maybe going to see below freezing temperatures.
WD40 will freeze and turn into a sludge that will gum up mechanisms.
WD is also a poor lubricant.
Go to your nearest Wal-Mart or mom and pop gun shop and buy gun oil. Do not get bore cleaner, it'll sludge up too. Rem Oil is a good one to use.
You may have to pull apart the steering column at the top so you can lube all of the components. Make sure not to get any oil on the electrical stuff.
WD40 will freeze and turn into a sludge that will gum up mechanisms.
WD is also a poor lubricant.
Go to your nearest Wal-Mart or mom and pop gun shop and buy gun oil. Do not get bore cleaner, it'll sludge up too. Rem Oil is a good one to use.
You may have to pull apart the steering column at the top so you can lube all of the components. Make sure not to get any oil on the electrical stuff.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,997
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From: Virginia
WD 40 is a poor lubricant, but a good solvent. What it does is loosen up the 25 year old Ford lube and sort-of rejuvenates it. It also creeps down in where you can't get, and saves you from having to take it all apart.
I was going to say the same thing about the speedo cable. If you pull the cluster out a little bit and disconnect the speedo cable from behind(what a pain in the neck that is), once you have it disconnected, take two fingers and grab the speedo cable in the center and pull it out. It will come all the way out from the tranny.
What you will see is this old stiff lube on the cable. A little bit of wd 40 on a rag will loosen this stuff up and and stop most of the squeaking. If you want to add any grease like was mentioned, the first thing I would do is take some wd40 and scrub most of the old off, and then add the new.
I was going to say the same thing about the speedo cable. If you pull the cluster out a little bit and disconnect the speedo cable from behind(what a pain in the neck that is), once you have it disconnected, take two fingers and grab the speedo cable in the center and pull it out. It will come all the way out from the tranny.
What you will see is this old stiff lube on the cable. A little bit of wd 40 on a rag will loosen this stuff up and and stop most of the squeaking. If you want to add any grease like was mentioned, the first thing I would do is take some wd40 and scrub most of the old off, and then add the new.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
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That's true, WD40 is a good solvent, but there are better solvents out there, to me. PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench come to mind.
I don't even buy WD40 anymore. The only thing good about it to me is the smell.
I don't even buy WD40 anymore. The only thing good about it to me is the smell.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
WD 40 is a poor lubricant, but a good solvent. What it does is loosen up the 25 year old Ford lube and sort-of rejuvenates it. It also creeps down in where you can't get, and saves you from having to take it all apart.
I was going to say the same thing about the speedo cable. If you pull the cluster out a little bit and disconnect the speedo cable from behind(what a pain in the neck that is), once you have it disconnected, take two fingers and grab the speedo cable in the center and pull it out. It will come all the way out from the tranny.
What you will see is this old stiff lube on the cable. A little bit of wd 40 on a rag will loosen this stuff up and and stop most of the squeaking. If you want to add any grease like was mentioned, the first thing I would do is take some wd40 and scrub most of the old off, and then add the new.
I was going to say the same thing about the speedo cable. If you pull the cluster out a little bit and disconnect the speedo cable from behind(what a pain in the neck that is), once you have it disconnected, take two fingers and grab the speedo cable in the center and pull it out. It will come all the way out from the tranny.
What you will see is this old stiff lube on the cable. A little bit of wd 40 on a rag will loosen this stuff up and and stop most of the squeaking. If you want to add any grease like was mentioned, the first thing I would do is take some wd40 and scrub most of the old off, and then add the new.